The Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Bechara Boutros Rai. (photo Oeuvre d'Orient) Lebanon’s Maronite bishops, commending the unity of the Lebanese people amid a peaceful mass uprising demanding a new government, called for a “constructive spirit” following the resignation of the country’s prime minister.
“The Lord is leading the ship of the homeland and we hope that this step will be the beginning of the solution,” Cardinal Bechara Rai, Maronite patriarch, said in response to the resignation of Saad Hariri.
The resignation on October 29 came on the 13th day of massive countrywide protests that found demonstrators celebrating by filling streets and public squares and waving Lebanese flags.
The protests found Christians, Muslims and Druze rising up against a deteriorating economic situation and corruption in the government.
Cardinal Rai convened a meeting of the Maronite bishops on October 30 at the patriarchate north of Beirut in which they expressed their “sincere tribute” to the people “who are protesting from all sects and regions of Lebanon, coupled with the support of their valid demands”.
Statement
The bishops, in a statement, said they hope that all Lebanese will receive the resignation “in a constructive spirit”. They called on political officials “to rally around” Lebanese President Michel Aoun “who is entrusted with the constitution, to speed up the taking of the necessary constitutional measures to protect Lebanon, in response to the aspirations of all Lebanese”.
The prelates called on the Lebanese “to be wise, so that their sit-ins do not paralyse life in the country”, urging the people to stay clear of “provocation and all signs of conflict and violence”.